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"Precisely," King Claudio agrees. "I could not have said it any better. Tanzi's family is both formidable and dangerous. As the head ofthatfamily, let me tell you what is going to happen. Your father's diplomatic assignment is going to be changing."
Chills run down my spine when King Claudio claims me as his family.
Giannetta's face drains of color. "It is?"
"Sì. He will be assigned to Volyarus. It is another island country, though not in nearly such warm climes. He should do well there."
"But they're Russians!"
"Descended from Ukrainians actually, but I'm sure your father knows that. He is a good diplomat. You will accompany your father to Volyarus."
"You're kicking me out of Isole dei Re?"
"For your father's sake, I am not pressing charges for this reprehensible breach of protocol and privacy. However, you will not be welcome back into this country for a minimum of five years. It is entirely your father's discretion whether he keeps you with him in Volyarus. He will however be informed of your attempt to do harm to my daughter-in-law."
"But what about—"
King Claudio turned to Rio. "Vittorio, do you have any doubts about the parentage of your baby?"
What an odd way to ask the question, but then maybe not. Maybe that was a message from the king to Tanzi.
"None."
It's the answer I expect, but I like hearing it all the same.
"Nor do I." The king spells it out. "Tanzi you are a welcome and trusted member to our family."
"Thank you."
I ignore Giannetta's continued squawking as the king rises to come around his desk to give me and then his son a tight hug. "Welcome to the family, Tanzi."
Blinking back the moisture in my eyes, I smile and kiss his cheek. "Thank you. I think you and my father are going to have a lot of fun being related."
The king gives me a mock shudder and Rio laughs before pulling me from the room.
CHAPTER 18: Rio
Happily Every After
I pull Tanzi into my lap on the leather sofa after leading her to our suite. "I'm sorry you had to endure that."
"I'm not." Her lovely grey eyes reflect her bone deep honesty. "I think Giannetta tipped your dad over to our side."
"He was coming around anyway."
She shrugs. "But this was faster."
"Are you going to be okay?" I ask, not sure how to articulate my worries.
"With being a princess? With facing people like Giannetta because there's always someone out there who wants what I have?"
"Yes, that."
"Tell me something, Rio."
"No one but you calls me Rio." And I guard that intimacy jealously.
Adamo called me Rio once after hearing Tanzi say it. After my visceral and somewhat violent reaction, my brother will never make that mistake again.
